SAN DIEGO — The 8,054 fans (almost all kids) in attendance had no trouble following the big-screen directions: MAKE NOISE. CAN’T HEAR YOU. GET LOUD. LOUDER! They responded with joyful, ear-piercing enthusiasm, delighted to comply with instructions that rewarded volume and excitement.
The Aztecs (13-3, 7-0 MW) picked a great day to break an attendance record, giving the crowd much to cheer, with a 17-point win over New Mexico (12-6, 4-3 MW) that was a much closer game than the final score indicated, 73-56.
The Aztecs were down by nine in the first quarter, and with about 40 seconds remaining in the third, New Mexico tied the game at 47-47. SDSU closed out the third with a three, and then proceeded to outscore the Lobos 23 - 9, shooting a crazy 81.8%, going nine for 11, including four of five on threes. On the night, the team had 16 assists on only nine turnovers.
This is a team that heavily depends on each other, and we have a staff that cares greatly about us on a personal basis, as well as basketball and so keeping that at the forefront, you kind of worry less about yourself and I always think what the team needs, and we figure it out together.
Four players scored in double figures including Kennedy Lee (15), Nala Williams (14), and Alyssa Jackson and Bailey Barnhard with 11 each.
Alyssa Jackson tied her career best with 11 points. Derrick Tuskan / San Diego State
“We've had the experience of having to fight back and punch again, but just to able to handle the adversity the way they did was really impressive.”
Kennedy Lee hit five threes for 15 points with nine rebounds. Derrick Tuskan / San Diego State
Next Up
SDSU faces UNLV Saturday at 2 p.m. in Las Vegas. Watch on the Mountain West Network.
Watch highlights here. Credit: SDSU Athletics
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